Antony's ability to respect his audience, logically justify his points, and use verbal irony cause his speech to be more engaging, and thereby more effective, than Brutus's speech. Antony adopts a more conversational tone in order to place himself on the same moral level as his audience, in contrast to Brutus who establishes himself as dominant. He addresses his audience as "you" and asks them politely to "lend me your ears" (3. 2. 82). Rather than feeling subordinate subjects, the crowd feels a moral and social equal to Antony because of his use of words like "you;" this equality allows Antony to better engage the audience and drive his points home. Engaging the audience, however, is only useful if one has points to drive home in the first place. Logical reasoning and concrete evidence build strong points for Antony to present to his engaged audience. Citing when he "thrice presented him [Caesar] a kingly crown," (3. 2. 105) only for Caesar to refuse it, Antony questions the claim that Caesar was too ambitious. Antony's presentation of concrete, logical evidence to disprove an opposing argument distances his speech from propaganda; the crowd recognizes and respects the validity of his statements because of the concrete evidence he presents. Antony cleverly makes his evidence seem much greater through verbal irony, though which arguably moves his speech a little back towards propaganda. Antony cleverly uses sarcasm to backhandedly villainize Brutus and praise Caesar's heroism. In reference to the will, Antony sarcastically asserts that Rome should "not ... know how Caesar loved you" (3. 2. 152). Both he and the audience know that once the will is presented, Antony must read its contents; however, he pretends to believe that reading the will would be wrong in order to stir up and anger his audience against Brutus and the conspirators. Antony's ultimate ability to engage and inflame both the audience's emotions and logical reasoning make his speech far more effective than Brutus' petty attempt of flawed logic and totalitarian control.
